When you are aging you experience insufficiencies in almost every organ and system. eyes are also affected by aging. Most common effect of age on eyes is macular degeneration. In this condition, part of the retina that is responsible for central vision is damaged. It affects central vision and daily tasks like reading and driving become difficult.
What Increases the Risk of AMD?
The exact cause of AMD is not known the, however, the presence of some factors can make you more vulnerable to this. Such as:
Age:
People over the age of 50 have a 2% risk and it increases to 30% as you move to your 70s. age is the most prominent risk for AMD.
Family History:
If your immediate family is suffering from this your chances are elevated by three percent.
SKIN/Eye Color:
People with lighter skin and eye tones are more vulnerable to AMD.
Gender:
Females are found to be more susceptible to AMD than males.
Treatment Options for AMD:
Anti-angiogenic Drugs:
These medicines are injected into your eyes. these stop the formation of new blood vessels. Drainage from previously formed blood vessels is also stopped by these agents. For many people this treatment help to regain vision lost by AMD.
Laser Therapy:
High-frequency laser is used to destroy the abnormal blood vessel formed as a result of AMD.
Photodynamic Laser therapy:
This is a two-step process. It includes:
Injection of a light-sensitive drug in the bloodstream.
This drug is absorbed by blood vessels in the eyes.
Then the light is used to activate this drug which destroys abnormal blood vessels.
Vitamins:
As the study revealed that use of vitamin A, C, E, zinc, and copper can reduce the risk of loss of vision for people with intermediate and advanced AMD.
Submacular surgery:
A surgeon operates at your eye and removes abnormal blood vessels, clots, and debris.
